Lock device for well tools



March 9, 1954 E. H. CLARK, JR

LOCK DEVICE FOR WELL TOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 28, 1948 IN VEN TOR. @PA/55TH C24/PK, d5.

TTQ/ve-YS March 9, 1954 E. H. CLARK, JR

LOCK DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS 2 Sheets-Sheer:l 2

Filed Aug. 28, 1 948 A INVENTOR. ff iq/Mgg A/2K, J.

/QrroeA/EYS Patented Mar. 9, y{i954} Y arnest H. Clark, Jr., Long Beach, Calif., assigner to Baker Oil Tools,` Inc., Vernon, Calif., a cor' poration of California Application August 2s, 194s,- sorial No. 46,679 Y 5 claims." (o1. 16s-12)y This invention relates to well toolsfand more particularly to lock devices for determiningthe operation of such tools in well bores... Y.

lIn .United States Patent. No. 2,368,401, pat-.f ented January 30, 1945, a ratchet or one-way clutchtypeof lock device is used for selectively preventing or permitting relative movement be tween the parts of a sub-surface welltool. As an example, the .lock device mayprevent the outward expansion of casing engaging slips, `or of a packing structure, or both, vuntil desired. The specific type of lock mechanism illustrated in the above patent is rendered ineffective upon turning the tubular string to which thetool is secured. Such turning unclutchesv or uncouples the lock and allows the tubing string Aand the portion of the well tool attached, thereto to be elevated, in order to shift parts of the toolrelative to other .parts of thev tool.v Thus, elevation of the `tubing string may shift an expander withinthe slips, effecting outward expansion ofthe latter against the casing.

Because of various factors, the tubular string will not necessarily remain in .the position to which it has been turned in effecting unclutching of thelock device. The fleXibilityor elasticity of the tubular string, pump pulsations incident to the forcing of iiuids through the tubular string, and other conditions, sometimes causes inadvertent and undesired reverse rotation of, the tubular string to an extent suicient to recouple the lock device. It, thereiorebecome s essential to turn the tubular string and then elevate,it each time it is desired to expand the s lipsand packing. This operation v prevents immediate setting of the slips and packing against the icasing,. the time delay possibly .introducing errors inthe work being performed inthe well bore.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a lock device in a vsub-surface well tool, which 4will not tend to revert inadvertently to its locked position after having .been

uncoupled.

.Another object of the invention is toprovide a lock device in a sub-surface well tool which is unlocked` by rotation of the tubular Vstringto which the tool Vis secured, and which .will r'emain in such unlocked condition until purposely released. y j. Q A further object of the invention isto provide a lock device in a sub-surface rwelltool, which can be preconditioned in an. unlocked or unlcoupled position, in order that the tool Vmayfloe manipulated immediately in effecting anoperation in the well bore, without the necessity for time consumption in rst operating a lock device. .This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects whichfmay be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of forrn in vwhich it may be en nbodied.` This vform is shown in the ldrawings accompanyinglarid forming part or the presentY specication., It win now be described in dotan, tory the p urp of illustrating the general principlesof theiri'- vention.' but it is t0H be understood that s'uch detailed `description is not to be taken a limiting sense, sincethe scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Referring to .the drawings: Figure 1 is alongitudinal view, partly in seca tion. and partlyin elevation, of a well packer within a wellA casing, with itsparts in retrac ed position; Fig. 2 is a longitudinalA section, onan enlarged scale, of the locking portion of the deviceshown in Fis- 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of thewell packer anchored in packed-off condition within' the well casing;A Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken along .the line 4 4 on Fig. 2, of the lock portion of the tool;4 Fig. 5 isl a crosssection taken along theline 5 5 on Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4 o frthe lofli device in another position; and. 'Fig 7 is a View similar to .Fig. 5, illustrating thecoupling in its latched or clutched position. The invention is exemplied in the drawings as forming part of a well packer A of 1 s l'1 e rei trievabletype. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is also appuoable to other weil tools, and for controlling elements other than slipsand packings hereinafter referred to. f The D aCker A is adapted. to be run in a 4 v5/fell bore creasing B onthe end of a t ubular ning-in string C threadedly, `or otherwise` atltached, to the upper end ofthe tubular ,mandrel or body portion I0 of the packer. The lowery end of this mandrel or `body. portion I0 isthreaded intotheupper end .of .alower tubular'packer body I I, to which is attached a packingactuator I2 in theform of a guide. L A tapered expander 4I3 is .mounted-on the body part II. vIt ispreferably prevented from turni. ing with respect to the latter by a key. I4 secured tothe exterior of the body and received within a keyway I5 in the expander; so as to. permit relative longitudinal movement between thefbddy II andexpander I3. while preventingrotatin therebetween. Y When the tubular. stringiC and body I, II are'elevated, the packing actuator 4Il is moved .toward the expander I3 to compress an intervening packing .sleeve I6,fsurrou'nding .the body, and force it outwardly into engagement .with the wall of the casing B. Such actuation of-the packing-sleeve I6 only occurs when Vthe tapered expander I3 is prevented `from moving upwardly, which resultsfrom shifting of thefexpander within aplura1ity of slipsfI'I, and outwardv expansion of the latter against'the wall of the"casing.-

The slips Il have tapered y`-`inn`er -`surfacesfirl cooperating with companion tapereasurfaiesil 9 on the expander, the inclination of such surfaces being such as to move the slips I1 outwardly toward the casing when the expander I3 is elevated. Conversely lowering of the expander I3 with respect to the slips I1 permits the latter to release from the casing wall and move inwardly to retracted position.

It is, accordingly, apparent that elevation of the tubular string C and packer body I0, II can effect anchoring of the tool, through engagement of the slips I1 with the casing B under the influence of the tapered expander I3. Such elevation can also eiect compression or foreshortening of the rubber packing sleeve I6 between the expander I3 and guide I2, to produce its radial outward expansion into sealing engagement with the casing wall.

The slips I1 are held together for joint movement along the tapered expander I3 to and from engagement with the casing B by pin-connecting them to the lower ends of links 20, whose upper ends extend between the fingers 2I of a slip ring 22. This ring is also provided with a peripheral groove 23 into which pins 24, projecting in both directions from the sides of the links 20, may extend, in order to couple all of the links 20 and slips I1 for movement jointly with the slip ring 22. Outward movement of the upper ends of the links 26 is prevented by a stop ring 25 suitably secured to the slip ring 22.

The slip ring is connected to a drag device 26 by a swivel mechanism 21, in order to permit rotation of the slips I1 and slip ring 22 without correspondingly rotating the drag device 26. The main purpose of the drag device 26 is to resist longitudinal movement of the slips I1 within the well casing B.

The drag device 26 includes an outer ratchet member 28, consisting of a lower ring 29 threaded into an upper ratchet sleeve or clutch collar 30.

The ratchet ring 25 and slip ring 22 are `adjacent one another, and are provided with outwardly directed flanges 3|, 32 receivable within an internal circumferential groove 33 in a tie ring 34 having upper and lower inwardly directed flanges 35, 36 disposed above and below the ratchet ring and tie ring flanges 3I, 32, respectively. For convenience of assembly, the tie ring 34 may be made in two halves that are moved radially inwardly to dispose the flanges 35, 36 above and below the ratchet ring and slip ring flanges 3|, 32. This two-piece ratchet ring is prevented from coming apart by an encompassing circumferentially continuous sleeve 31, which is prevented from dropping off the ring by one or more screws 38 threaded into the ring and disposed within holes 33 in the sleeve. It is apparent that the tie ring 34 and the flanges 3I, 32 on the ratchet ring 23 and slip ring 22 form a swivel connection 21 between the drag device 26 and the slips I1.

The drag and lock device 2 6 comprises the outer ratchet member 36, 25, which may slide relatively along the mandrel I9, or be coupled thereto.

The sleeve 30 of this member receives the lower end of a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly bowed leaf springs 40, held against the sleeve 30 by a ring 4I fastened to it by a plurality of screws 42. These springs extend upwardly along the mandrel I6, with their upper ends secured to an upper drag collar 43 by an upper ring 44 suitably fastened to the latter, as by screws 45. This upper collar 43 is slidable along the mandrel or body part I0.

It ls to be noted that the frictional engagement of the springs with the casing B tends to resist longitudinal movement of the slips I1 through the well casing. Upon reaching the desired setting point in the casing, if the tubular mandrel I0 is permitted to move upwardly with respect to the drag device 25, such elevation would also elevate the lower packer body II, and, through the guide l2 and packing sleeve I6, elevate the expander I3 within the slips I1, since the latter are prevented from moving upwardly by the drag device. Such elevation of the expander I3 forces the slips I1 radially outward into anchoring engagement with the casing wall. With the slips I1 anchored to the casing B, the expander I 3 is prevented from moving upwardly. Accordingly, a continuation of the upward movement of the tubular string C and body II), II moves the guide ring I2 toward the expander I3, in order to foreshorten the packing sleeve I6 and shift it into rm sealing engagement with the casing B and packer body I I.

Lowering of the tubular string C and packer body I0, II with respect to the drag device 26 permits retraction of the packing sleeve I6 from the casing, and produces corresponding downward movement of the tapered expander I3, by virtue of engagement of the body shoulder 46 with an expander flange 41, so that the slips I1 are moved inwardly to retracted position. Such inward retraction will occur, since downward movement of the slips is prevented by the friction spring drag device 26.

It is to be noted that upward movement of the tubular body can eifect anchoring of the packer A in packed-off condition within the well casing B, and that lowering of these members can effect release of the packer. In order to allow the tubular body I0, II to be elevated without anchoring the tool in the well casing, some means is provided for preventing the relative longitudinal movement between the slips I1 and tapered expander I3 upon elevation of the tubular body. In the present instance, such means is afforded by a ratchet or one-way clutch type of lock device disposed between the upper body or mandrel I0 and the ratchet sleeve 30.

The ratchet sleeve 30 has an inner surface 50 tapering upwardly and inwardly, that cooperates with a correspondingly tapered surface 5I on a segmented ring 52, to urge the ring inwardly, in order that the internal teeth 53 of the ring are disposed for clutching engagement with external ratchet teeth 54 formed on the periphery of the upper tubular body or mandrel I0. The segmented ring 52 includes a plurality of adjacent segments 55 (see Figs. 5, 7) disposed a substantial distance around the periphery of the mandrel I0, such segments being urged inwardly by a split, contractile spring or snap ring 56 disposed within a peripheral groove 51 in the segments. This ring 56 tends to urge the segments 55 inwardly, to eifect engagement of their ratchet teeth 53 with the companion teeth 54 on the mandrel. Such ratchet teeth may be constituted by an upwardly facing ratchet or buttressed type of thread 54 on the mandrel I, engaging with a companion downwardly directed ratchet thread 53 formed jointly within the segments 55.

A stop 58, in the form of a key, is secured to the ratchet sleeve 30, and engages one end of the segmented ring 52, to prevent rotation of the segmented ring relative to the ratchet sleeve. The other end of the ring 52 has an inwardly directed key or projection 59 disposed within a longitudinal keyway B0 in the mandrel I0.

Because of the ratchet or one-way clutch type of lock device described, the mandrel I can be moved downwardly without interference by the lock device, since the mandrel ratchet teeth :3 will merely ratchet freely over the companion teeth 53 on the segments 55. However, upward movement of the mandrel l0 will cause its teeth 54 to engage the segment teeth 53 and move the segments 55 upwardly with it, shifting them slightly toward the narrow portion of the tapered surface 5i! in the ratchet sleeve 30 and wedging the segments rmly between the mandrel I0 and ratchet sleeve 30, which eiectively couples the mandrel I0 and drag device 26 together against relative upward movement. In other words, the two parts I, 26 are locked together for upward movement as a unit. Accordingly, the slips I'I are also locked to the mandrel I0 and will move upwardly with it.

When it is desired to shift the mandrel Ill upwardly within the drag device 26, and with respect to the slips I7, in order to anchor the slips to the casing B, the tubular string C vand upper body or mandrel I0 connected thereto are rotated a partial revolution, preferably to the right. Such rotation causes the mandrel I0 to act upon the segment key 59 and expand the segments 55 outwardly to the extent in which their teeth 53 are completely out of engagement with the mandrel teeth 54. Such expansion will occur, since the other end of the segmented ring is prevented from moving by the stop 58 secured to the ratchet sleeve 30. When the mandrel is thus turned to free the segments 55 from its teeth `513, the mandrel Ill may be moved upwardly within the segments 55 and the ratchet sleeve 3E), in order to shift the expander I3 upwardly within the slips II and urge the latter into anchoring engagement with the casing B. As above indicated, a continuation of this upward movement foreshortens the packing sleeve I6 and expands it outwardly against the casing.

When the slips I1 and packing l 6 are to be retracted, it is merely necessary to lower the tubular string C and mandrel IU, which will lower the abutment I2 away from the expander I3, allowing the packing sleeve I6 to retract and also cause the body shoulder 45 to engage the expander shoulder 41, shifting the expander downwardly relative to the slips I'I and effecting retraction of the latter. Such downward movement can occur without regard to the imposing of turning effort on the tubular string C and packer body I0, II because of the one-way ratchet arrangement between the mandrel threads 54 and segmentedring threads 53.

With the segmented ring 52 released by reverse turning of the tubular string C and packer body I0, I I upward movement of these latter members will again automatically couple the mandrel I0 to the ratchet lsleeve 30 and drag device 26, in order that upward movement of the tubular string C and packer body IG, I I will be ineffective to anchor the packer to the well casing. The well tool can, therefore, be removed to the top of thewell bore.

From the foregoing description, the tubular string C and packer body I0, I I must be rotated to the right, to unclutch the segmented ring y52 and4 prevent its coupling vengagement with the mandrel I0 during setting of the tool. The packer body Ill, Il may not remain in the position to which it has been turned, and may inadvertently return to its original position, allow- "ing the segmented ring 52 to ,again couplev thek ow out of the lower end of the packer A/and upwardly around the packer. When the lower end of the charge of cement slurry has reached the vicinity of the well packer, it is desired to immediately anchor the packer A in packed-oir 1 condition against the casing Bi, for the purpose of forcing the cement slurry into the formation and prevent its upward travel around the packer.

Such rapid packing-olf can occur if the lock device has been previously conditioned toh'old-its segmented ring 52 unclutched from the mandrel or upper body portion I0. With this condition, it is merely necessary to pull up on the tubular string C to anchor the packer A in packed-off condition against the well casing. At times, however, certain well conditions cause the coupling elements 53,54 to reengage, so that it is necessary to first rotate the tubing string C and mandrel Il) secured thereto, to insure unclutching of the lock device before the tubing string-is elevated. The relatively short time required for the rotary operation may be suicient to allow part of the cement slurry to flow out of the packer and upwardly around the packer.:

The present invention contemplatesv the provision of a lock device 'I0 for holding the clutch 1n uncoupled condition, and for preventing .its inadvertent return to clutching or coupling posiron.

The lock device 'I0 includes a coupling;Y pin 'II having a conical or partially spherical head 'i2 adapted to ride on the exterior of the mandrel I0, and also to be received within the mandrel longitudinal groove or keyway 50. The coupling pin has a stem I3 extending radially outward from itshead and slidable through a spring retainer or seat I4 threaded into an arcuate segment 'I5 adjustably secured to the ratchet sleeve or clutch collar 30, as by means of cap screws 15. A helical compression spring 'I'I surrounds'the pin stem 13, with its inner end bearing against the head I2 and its outer end against the spring seat 14, in order to urge the head inwardly at all times. This spring is enclosed within `a sleeve 'I8 threaded into the same hole in the arcuate segment 'I5 as the spring seat 14. f

In order to permit angular adjustment of-the coupling pin 'II relative to the ratchet sleeve 30, the sleeve 30 is provided with an arcuate slot 'I9 through which the pin 'II and its enclosing sleeve I8 extend. In addition, the arcuate segment 'I5 has its ends 85 slotted for reception of the cap screws 1B. When the cap screws are loosened, the arcuate segment l5 and the coupling pin 'II carried thereby can be shifted relative to the ratchet sleeve 30, whereupon the cap screws 'I6 are retightened to secure the segment 'I5 to the sleeve 30. Such adjustment is `desired in order to locate the coupling pin I I relative to the mandrel keyway 60 and the segmented ring 52.

When the segmented ring 52 is in its coupled position, with its teeth 53 in engagementkwith `the mandrel teeth 54, the coupling` pin 'lI'isdissegmented ring 52 from the mandrel determined arcuate extent from the groove A60 (Fig.k 6). When it' is desired to uncouple the Hl, the tubular string C and mandrel l) are rotated, as described above, to effect expansion of the segmented ring 52 away from the mandrel teeth 54. Since the coupling pin 'Il is mounted on the drag device, it is prevented from rotating by the frictional engagement of the springs d with the casing wall. Accordingly, rotation ofthev mandrel l0 to the extent required to unclutch the segmented ring 52 from the mandrel l0 places the longitudinal groove 60 in alignment with the coupling pin 1 I, its spring 'Il forcing it into the longitudinal keyway 60. The rotational restraint or torque may now be removed from the-tubular string C and mandrel if desired, the coupling pin 'H effectively clutching the mandrel i0 to the ratchet sleeve 3d and preventing their relative rotation. As a result, the segmented ring 52 is held in its outwardly expanded position (see Figs. l to 5).

When such locked condition has been achieved, the tool can be manipulated through longitudinal movement of the tubular string C, in order to set and release the well packer A as many times as desired, without fear that the segmented ring V52 has inadvertently moved back to its clutchv ing position, because of inadvertent reverse rotation of the tubular string C and mandrel i0.-

When coupling of the tubular mandrel itl to 1 the segments 55 is again desired, the tubular string C is rotated in a reverse direction or to the left. The spring 'I1' holds the coupling pin or detent 'H in the mandrel groove 50 with just K suicient force to prevent inadvertent rotation of the mandrel I0 with respect to the -ratchet sleeve 30. However, such spring does not exert sufficient force to prevent purposeful rotation of the tubular string C and mandrel I0, which will act upon the tapered head 'i2 of the coupling pin and force it out of the mandrel groove 60, allowing the segmented ring 52 to return inwardly into engagement with the mandrel teeth 54. The parts of the tool are now locked against relative upward movement, allowing the packer A, with its -slips Il and packing I6 retracted, to be elevated `within the well casing B.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a lock device for well tools has been disclosed, in whichl the one-Way clutch 52-5t can be held in its ineffective position so long as desired, and without fear that the inherent elasticity in the tubing string, 01 the pump pulsations, or other factors, will cause inadvertent reengagement of the clutch.

The inventor claims:

1. In a, well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: inner and outer members movable with respect to each other; clutch means movable with respect to both of said members and engageable with said members for coupling said members together against relative longitudinal movement; means on one of said members engageable with said clutch means to shift said a clutch collar surrounding said mandrel; an

rotation;

- panded from engagement with said mandrel.

3.' In a well tool adapted for operation in-a `well bore: a mandrel connectable to a runningin string for moving said tool within said Well bore; a collar surrounding said mandrel; an expansible clutch ring engageable with said mandrel and collar for coupling them together against relative longitudinal movement; means on said collar engageable with said ring to' prevent its said mandrel having a longitudinal groove therein; means on said ring disposed in said groove and engageable with said mandrel, in order that'rotation of said mandrel within said collar will expand said ring from clutching engagement with said mandrel; and means on said collar shiftable into said groove, upon rotation of the mandrel within said'collar, to hold said ring in its expanded condition.

4. In a Well tool adapted for Operation in a Well bore: inner and outer members movable with respect to each other; clutch means movable with respect to both of said members and disposed between said members for coupling said members together against relative longitudinal movement; means on one of said members engageable with said clutch means to shift said clutch means to an uncoupling position up'on rotation of said one of said members, in orderto allow relative longitudinal movement between said members; and av coupling device on said outer member disengaged from said inner lmember when said clutch means couples said members together and shiftable into'releas'able engagement with said inner member when vsaid clutch means is being shifted from said coupled to uncoupled condition to hold said clutch means in said uncoupled condition to permit relative longitudinal movement between said members.

5. In a well tool adapted for operation in a well bore: inner and outer members movable with respect to each other; clutch means movable with respect to both of said members and engageable with said members for coupling said members together against relative longitudinal movement when said members occupy a first relative rotary position, means on one of said members engag'eable With said clutch means to shift said clutch means to an uncoupling position by rotation of said one member with respect to another member to a second relative rotary position; a

Y coupling device mounted on one of said members movable into a position holding the other of said members upon relative rotation of said members to said second position; and means for angularly adjusting said coupling device with respect to the member on which it is mounted.

EARNEST H. CLARK, JR.

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